Easter date changes every year because it is determined by lunar cycles rather than a fixed calendar date. Resurrection Sunday or Easter Sunday 2026 falls on the calendar date April 5th, 2026. Easter is calculated by the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. Easter is always on a Sunday because Jesus Christ resurrected on a Sunday (the first day of the week). Normally, Easter falls between March 22 and April 25. For your knowledge, Good Friday is always two days before Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a widely observed public holiday in many countries across Europe, Latin America, Australia, and parts of Africa. Easter Sunday itself is not a federal public holiday in the United States, Canada, or most secular nations.
What is Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day?
Easter Sunday is a day of the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ from death, who showed himself alive after 3 days in the tomb. Easter Sunday is also called 'Pascha', meaning 'Passover'. Easter is tied to the Jewish Passover because Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection occurred during that period. The primary reason why Christians celebrate Easter is to honor Jesus because the resurrection demonstrates Jesus's triumph over death and sin. Easter symbolizes Jesus' victory over death, which offers hope and new life to believers. Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday and rose from the dead on Sunday morning. According to the Gospel of Luke, women followers of Jesus went to the tomb early in the morning, found the stone rolled away, and they did not find the body of Jesus there.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the most sacred week and the final week before Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday (Jesus's entry into Jerusalem), continuing through Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), Holy Saturday, and culminating on Easter Sunday with the resurrection.
Easter Eggs and Easter Traditions
People decorate and hide eggs on Easter. Easter eggs symbolize new life, rebirth, the end of Lenten fasting, and the empty tomb of Jesus Christ in Christianity. An Easter egg hunt is also a festive tradition in which decorated Easter eggs are hidden for children to find and collect. Whether these eggs are real hard-boiled eggs, chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with candy, Easter eggs are given to children and shared with other families. Traditional Easter foods include eggs, roasted lamb or glazed ham, hot cross buns, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, and spring vegetables. Chocolate is also associated with Easter primarily because it became a popular and delicious way to celebrate the end of Lenten fasting.
How is Easter Celebrated Around the World?
There are many ways to celebrate Easter around the world. In Ethiopia, Christians observe a 55-day fasting period called Fasika. In Europe, Easter is celebrated with an extended holiday period. In Sweden and Finland, children dress as witches and knock on doors for treats. Others follow religious traditions, such as processions and church services, egg hunts, chocolate treats, and family feasting.
What to Do on Easter Sunday?
You can do many things on Easter Sunday, like get up earlier in the morning, go to church, worship, pray for yourself and others, chant God's name, read the Easter story in the Bible, host a family Easter brunch, organize an Easter egg hunt with children, and send Easter wishes to loved ones. You can also share the Easter Sunday story with kids so they can know why we celebrate Easter. However, we should not treat this resurrection day of Jesus from the dead as a time for mere fun and games.
Lessons from Easter Sunday
Jesus' resurrection is certainly worthy of being celebrated. Whether we use the term Easter, Pascha, or Resurrection Day, it is good to commemorate the event that led to our salvation and changed the world forever.